Warrants lead to string of arrests

JAMIE NASH

Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, August 9, 2006

Benjamin Michael Nauss, 20, of Spring, was charged with delivery of a controlled substance, a second-degree felony punishable by a sentence of 2-20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. He was also charged with delivery of marijuana, possession of a prohibited weapon and money laundering, which are all third-degree felonies, punishable by a prison term of 2-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Demetri Umar Singh, 24, of Conroe, was arrested at another location. Singh was charged with money laundering of an amount more than $20,000 and less than $100,000, a third-degree felony.

At the same location, SIU arrested Celeste Rentiers-Broughton, also known as Celeste Kelly, 45, who was charged with possession of a controlled substance, a third-degree felony, and possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor punishable by a jail term of up to 180 days and a fine of up to $2,000.

Broughton's brother, Johnny William Thompson, 43, and her son, Jason Miles Broughton, 18, were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana.

According to SIU Lt. Philip Cash, the SIU began the day by executing a search warrant on West Stedhill Loop off of Texas 242, near The Woodlands. The resident, Demetri Singh, was not home, but entry was made and approximately 2 pounds of marijuana was seized, along with about 100 ecstasy or MDMA pills. By law, officers are required to leave a copy of the search warrant behind for the resident. Oddly enough, the same copy left at the West Stedhill Loop residence turned up later that evening at a residence on Overlake Drive off of Budde Road.

"We were executing another search warrant around 6 p.m. when we ran into the owner of the residence on Stedhill who was found to be in possession of $1,000 cash in $100 increments divided with rubber bands," Cash said. "We also found a copy of the search warrant we executed earlier at his home in his possession."

Using rubber bands to divide money in increments of $100 is common among drug dealers, he said. That factor, coupled with what was allegedly found in Singh's home and information SIU received regarding drug trafficking led to the money laundering charges.

Singh's wife and newborn baby were also present, Cash said. "That information was forwarded to the District Attorney's office," he said.

The Overlake Drive home was searched and the owner, Celeste Rentiers-Broughton, was arrested along with her brother and her teenage son.

"Marijuana was found in every bedroom and a small amount of cocaine was also found in one of the bedrooms," Cash said.

In addition to Singh's wife and child, two others who were present were checked and released, Cash said.

After the search of Singh's home and before the search warrant was executed at the Overlake Drive residence, Benjamin Michael Nauss was arrested during an alleged parking lot drug sale.

Cash said the arrest occurred around 4:50 p.m. near the intersection of Budde Road and Sawdust Road.

"He delivered approximately two ounces of cocaine and less than four ounces of marijuana," Cash said.

Nauss's 2001 Kia passenger car was seized at the scene, along with an illegal knife.

Detectives then went to Nauss's residence on Nodding Pines in Spring and conducted a search of his room where they found and seized approximately $20,000 cash in a cardboard box, Cash said.

The SIU receives many useful leads in the form of tips from concerned citizens. Cash said anyone with any information regarding drug trafficking in Montgomery County can contact the authorities at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office at (936) 760-5800.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-392-STOP. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for arrests and convictions in felony cases. Reports can also be made online at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers.org.